Selenium concentrations in elderly people with Alzheimer's disease: a cross-sectional study with control group.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible differences in plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of selenium among elderly with and without a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: Cross-sectional study, performed with an elderly group with Alzheimer's disease, diagnosed by a geriatric doctor, and compared to an elderly group without the disease, equaling gender, education, and age. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry determined plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of total selenium (Set). RESULTS: The mean age was 74.41±7.1 years in the Alzheimer's disease group and 71.46±5.1 years among the control group. The Alzheimer's disease group presented lower plasma concentrations (mean of 45.29±14.51 µg/dL vs. 55.14±14.01 µg/dL; p=0.004), and erythrocyte Set (median of 56.36 µg/L vs. 76.96 µg/L; p<0.001). The logistic regression model indicated an association between erythrocyte Set concentrations and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (p=0.028). CONCLUSION: Elderly with Alzheimer's disease present lower selenium concentrations in the evaluated organic compartments.

Effects of the essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm. on healing and tissue repair after partial Achilles tenotomy in rats.

PURPOSE:: To investigate the cellular response to injury, analyzing histopathologic changes associated with increased cellularity, degeneration and disorganization of collagen fibers. METHODS:: Thirty wistar rats were divided in two groups after partial Achilles tenotomy: the right hind paw were treated with the essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet (EOAz), diluted to 33% (0.3 mL kg-1), and the left hind paw received sunflower oil for 3, 14, 30 and 90 days. Statistical significance was determined using a Chi-square and Pearson Correlation qualitative variables test. Moreover, Mann-Whitney U-test test for comparison between different groups of the same cell, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's test of quantitative measurement. RESULTS:: A decrease hyperemia (p < 0.001) was observed in the acute phase of inflammatory cell number (p < 0.001), whereas sub-acute phase was marked by significant correlation with macrophages in fibroblasts (r = 0.17, p = 0.03), with probable induction a dense and modeled tissue. At chronic phase, it was found an increase in the number of fibroblasts and a higher percentage of type I collagen fibers (78%) compared with control collagen fibers (55%). CONCLUSION:: Oil of Alpinia zerumbet stimulated the process of maturation, organization and tissue repair which gave it greater resistance.

Effects of the essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm. on healing and tissue repair after partial Achilles tenotomy in rats

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the cellular response to injury, analyzing histopathologic changes associated with increased cellularity, degeneration and disorganization of collagen fibers. Methods: Thirty wistar rats were divided in two groups after partial Achilles tenotomy: the right hind paw were treated with the essential oil of Alpinia zerumbet (EOAz), diluted to 33% (0.3 mL kg-1), and the left hind paw received sunflower oil for 3, 14, 30 and 90 days. Statistical significance was determined using a Chi-square and Pearson Correlation qualitative variables test. Moreover, Mann-Whitney U-test test for comparison between different groups of the same cell, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's test of quantitative measurement. Results: A decrease hyperemia (p < 0.001) was observed in the acute phase of inflammatory cell number (p < 0.001), whereas sub-acute phase was marked by significant correlation with macrophages in fibroblasts (r = 0.17, p = 0.03), with probable induction a dense and modeled tissue. At chronic phase, it was found an increase in the number of fibroblasts and a higher percentage of type I collagen fibers (78%) compared with control collagen fibers (55%). Conclusion: Oil of Alpinia zerumbet stimulated the process of maturation, organization and tissue repair which gave it greater resistance.

Effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Baccharis trimera on the proliferation of hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy in rats.

PURPOSE:: To evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Baccharis trimera leaves on the proliferative capacity of the liver after partial hepatectomy (PH) in rats. METHODS:: Twenty Wistar rats weighing between 300 and 450g were divided into two groups: control (HP) and test (HP100-rats that received the aqueous extract of Baccharis trimera for four days at a dose of 100 mg / kg / day). On the fifth day, animals from both groups underwent resection of 70% of the liver. Twenty-four hours later, they were sacrificed and the remnant liver was removed and prepared for studied through PCNA immunohistochemistry. Data analysis for comparison between the two groups was made through the non-parametric statistical test Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS:: In all the animals studied was found most abundant nuclear immunostaining positive hepatocytes interlobular located in regions of the liver. Quantitative analysis of PCNA-positive cells revealed positivity rate significantly higher mean (p = 0.02) in HP100 group (77.1 ± 13.6) compared to the HP group (45.8 ± 12.9). CONCLUSION:: DAdministration of aqueous extract of the leaves of Baccharis trimera 100 mg/kg of animal has a significant positive effect on liver regeneration in rats, 24 hours after hepatectomy (70%).

Effect of aqueous extract of the leaves of Baccharis trimera on the proliferation of hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Baccharis trimera leaves on the proliferative capacity of the liver after partial hepatectomy (PH) in rats. Methods: Twenty Wistar rats weighing between 300 and 450g were divided into two groups: control (HP) and test (HP100-rats that received the aqueous extract of Baccharis trimera for four days at a dose of 100 mg / kg / day). On the fifth day, animals from both groups underwent resection of 70% of the liver. Twenty-four hours later, they were sacrificed and the remnant liver was removed and prepared for studied through PCNA immunohistochemistry. Data analysis for comparison between the two groups was made through the non-parametric statistical test Mann-Whitney test. Results: In all the animals studied was found most abundant nuclear immunostaining positive hepatocytes interlobular located in regions of the liver. Quantitative analysis of PCNA-positive cells revealed positivity rate significantly higher mean (p = 0.02) in HP100 group (77.1 ± 13.6) compared to the HP group (45.8 ± 12.9). Conclusion: DAdministration of aqueous extract of the leaves of Baccharis trimera 100 mg/kg of animal has a significant positive effect on liver regeneration in rats, 24 hours after hepatectomy (70%).

The effect of the aqueous extract Peumus boldus on the proliferation of hepatocytes and liver function in rats submitted to expanded hepatectomy.

PURPOSE:: To assess the effect of aqueous extract of Peumus Boldus (AEPB) on the liver proliferative response after parcial hepatectomy of 70% (PH) in rodents. METHODS:: Twenty Wistar rats were divided in two groups: AEPB100 (whose rats received 100mg/Kg of AEPB, once a day, orally, in 4 days prior to the first surgical procedure) and Vehicle (whose rats were treated similarly with distilled water). Both groups underwent PH. After 24 hours the remaining livers were removed for studying the proliferation of hepatocytes by Ki-67 and 2mL of blood were collected for serological assessment: cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total, direct and indirect bilirubin. All data were analyzed by Gaussian distribution. Statistically significant differences between mean values were analyzed using T Student's test. Non-Gaussian data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney's test. RESULTS:: The liver of all these rats presented positive staining of Ki-67, indicating liver proliferation. Laboratory results showed no significant difference in serum values between the analyzed groups. The analysis of Ki-67 was significantly more positive in AEPB100 group than in Vehicle group. CONCLUSION:: Aqueous extract of Peumus Boldus acute administration exerts significant positive effect on liver regeneration after 24h in rats that underwent parcial hepatectomy, while maintaining unchanged hepatic function.

The effect of the aqueous extract Peumus boldus on the proliferation of hepatocytes and liver function in rats submitted to expanded hepatectomy

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To assess the effect of aqueous extract of Peumus Boldus (AEPB) on the liver proliferative response after parcial hepatectomy of 70% (PH) in rodents. METHODS: Twenty Wistar rats were divided in two groups: AEPB100 (whose rats received 100mg/Kg of AEPB, once a day, orally, in 4 days prior to the first surgical procedure) and Vehicle (whose rats were treated similarly with distilled water). Both groups underwent PH. After 24 hours the remaining livers were removed for studying the proliferation of hepatocytes by Ki-67 and 2mL of blood were collected for serological assessment: cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and total, direct and indirect bilirubin. All data were analyzed by Gaussian distribution. Statistically significant differences between mean values were analyzed using T Student's test. Non-Gaussian data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney's test. RESULTS: The liver of all these rats presented positive staining of Ki-67, indicating liver proliferation. Laboratory results showed no significant difference in serum values between the analyzed groups. The analysis of Ki-67 was significantly more positive in AEPB100 group than in Vehicle group. CONCLUSION: Aqueous extract of Peumus Boldus acute administration exerts significant positive effect on liver regeneration after 24h in rats that underwent parcial hepatectomy, while maintaining unchanged hepatic function.

Improvement of bone repair in diabetic rats subjected to ƛ780 nm low-level laser therapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy on bone healing in diabetic rats. METHODS: Bone cavities (19 mm diameter) were performed in the femur of 72 alloxan-induced diabetic rats, which were assigned into four groups: CTR (non-diabetic control), DBT (diabetic) CTRL (non-diabetic irradiated) and DBTL (diabetic irradiated). Low-level laser therapy was performed every 48 h for seven days. Animals were euthanized at seven, 18 and 30 days. Alkaline phosphatase serum levels and bone repair were analyzed. RESULTS: Low-level laser therapy significantly increased alkaline phosphatase in at seven and 18 days (p<0.001), and improved bone healing at seven (p<0.01), 18 (p<0.05) and 30 (p<0.01) in diabetic animals. In addition, bone healing in irradiated diabetic group was statistically similar to control group at 30 days (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Low-level laser therapy increased the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and improved bone healing in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Improvement of bone repair in diabetic rats subjected to ƛ780 nm low-level laser therapy

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy on bone healing in diabetic rats.METHODS: Bone cavities (19 mm diameter) were performed in the femur of 72 alloxan-induced diabetic rats, which were assigned into four groups: CTR (non-diabetic control), DBT (diabetic) CTRL (non-diabetic irradiated) and DBTL (diabetic irradiated). Low-level laser therapy was performed every 48h for seven days. Animals were euthanized at seven, 18 and 30 days. Alkaline phosphatase serum levels and bone repair were analyzed.RESULTS: Low-level laser therapy significantly increased alkaline phosphatase in at seven and 18 days (p<0.001), and improved bone healing at seven (p<0.01), 18 (p<0.05) and 30 (p<0.01) in diabetic animals. In addition, bone healing in irradiated diabetic group was statistically similar to control group at 30 days (p>0.05).CONCLUSION:Low-level laser therapy increased the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and improved bone healing in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Proliferative effect of aqueous extract of Hyptis fructicosa on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats / Efeito proliferativo do extrato aquoso da Hyptis fructicosa na regeneração hepática após hepatectomia parcial em ratos

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Hyptis fructicosa on hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats. METHODS: Sixteen rats were divided in two groups: C (Control Group) and HF (Whose rats received aqueous extract of Hyptis fructicosa during 4 days using the dose of 100 mg/kg/day). On the consecutive day of this treatment, the animals of both groups underwent hepatectomy of about 67 percent of liver. Twenty four hours later, they were sacrificed, and the remaining mass of liver was removed and prepared to be studied through the PCNA immunohistochemical technique. RESULTS: The liver regeneration index of HF group was 53.56 ± 18.91 percent, while in C group was 21.12 ± 8.29 percent (p=0.0003). CONCLUSION: These results show that the administration of aqueous extract of Hyptis fructicosa using the dose of 100mg/kg/day increased the hepatocyte proliferation in the group HF.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do extrato aquoso da Hyptis fructicosa sobre a regeneração hepática após hepatectomia parcial em ratos. MÉTODOS: Dezesseis ratos foram divididos em dois grupos: C (grupo controle) e HF (ratos que receberam o extrato aquoso da Hyptis fructicosa durante quatro dias na dose de 100mg/kg/dia). No dia consecutivo deste tratamento, os animais de ambos os grupos foram submetidos a hepatectomia de aproximadamente 67 por cento do fígado. Vinte e quatro horas depois, eles foram sacrificados, e que a massa restante do fígado foi retirado e preparado para ser estudado através da técnica de imuno-histoquímica PCNA. RESULTADOS: O índice de regeneração hepática do grupo HF foi 53,56 ± 18,91 por cento, enquanto no grupo C foi de 21,12 ± 8,29 por cento (p=0,0003). CONCLUSÃO: Estes resultados mostram que a administração do extrato aquoso da Hyptis fructicosa na dose de 100mg/kg/dia aumentou a proliferação de hepatócitos no grupo HF.

Proliferative effect of aqueous extract of Hyptis fructicosa on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of Hyptis fructicosa on hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats. METHODS: Sixteen rats were divided in two groups: C (Control Group) and HF (Whose rats received aqueous extract of Hyptis fructicosa during 4 days using the dose of 100 mg/kg/day). On the consecutive day of this treatment, the animals of both groups underwent hepatectomy of about 67% of liver. Twenty four hours later, they were sacrificed, and the remaining mass of liver was removed and prepared to be studied through the PCNA immunohistochemical technique. RESULTS: The liver regeneration index of HF group was 53.56 ± 18.91%, while in C group was 21.12 ± 8.29% (p=0.0003). CONCLUSION: These results show that the administration of aqueous extract of Hyptis fructicosa using the dose of 100mg/kg/day increased the hepatocyte proliferation in the group HF.

Effect of bovine type-I collagen-based films containing red propolis on dermal wound healing in rodent model / Efecto de películas a base de colágeno bovino tipo I que contienen propóleo rojo sobre la cicatrización de la herida cutánea en un modelo roedor

Propolis, an apitherapic product widely employed in natural medicine, presents various biological properties, such as bactericidal and anti-inflammatory activities, but only few reports have looked at the Brazilian red propolis variety. Collagen films have been employed to improve wound healing and some studies have investigated the effect of natural products incorporated into these films. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the effect of collagen-based films containing red propolis on wound healing. Therefore, wounds performed in the back of rats were dressed with collagen-based films (G2), and collagen-based films containing red propolis (G3); undressed worked as control (G1). After 3, 7 and 14 days the animals were euthanized, and the wounds were microscopically evaluated. In 7 days, G3 showed switch of the inflammatory profile from acute into chronic, increased plasma cells differentiation, replacement of Type-III for type-I collagen fibers, and better architectural organization of those fibers. Furthermore, a slight tendency for a better epithelization was verified in G3, but it was not statistically significant. Also in 7 days, the microvessels count was higher in G1 than in G2 (p=0.000) and G3 (p=0.001), but similar between the last groups (p=0,15), whereas the microvessels perimeter was higher in G1 than in G2 (p=0.000) and G3 (p=0.002), but equivalent in G2 and G3 (p=0.175) in 14 days. In conclusion, the incorporation of Brazilian red propolis into collagen-based films was able to improve wound healing, probably by modulating the dynamics of the inflammatory evolution and collagen deposition process.

El propóleo es un producto apiterápico ampliamente usado en medicina natural, que presenta diversas propiedades biológicas, como actividad bactericida y anti-inflamatoria, pero pocos informes han examinado la variedad brasileña del propóleo rojo. Películas de colágeno han sido empleadas para mejorar la cicatrización de heridas y en algunos estudios se ha investigado el efecto de los productos naturales incorporados en estas películas. Así el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el efecto de las películas a base de colágeno que contienen propóleo rojo en la cicatrización de heridas. Heridas realizadas en el dorso de ratas fueron revestidas con películas a base de colágeno (G2) y con películas a base de colágeno con propóleo rojo (G3), heridas sin revestimiento fueron utilizadas como control (G1). Después de 3, 7 y 14 días, las heridas fueron evaluadas microscópicamente. A los 7 días G3 mostró un cambio del perfil de la respuesta inflamatoria de aguda a crónica, con aumento de la diferenciación de las células plasmáticas, sustitución de fibras de colágeno tipo III por tipo I con mejora de la organización arquitectónica de estas fibras. Además, una ligera tendencia a una mejor epitelización se verificó en G3, pero no fue estadísticamente significativa. También a los 7 días, el conteo de microvasos fue mayor en G1 que en G2 (p=0,000) y G3 (p=0,001), pero similar entre los últimos grupos (p=0,15), mientras que el perímetro de los microvasos fue mayor en G1 que en G2 (p=0,000) y G3 (p=0,002), pero equivalente en G2 y G3 (p=0,175) en 14 días. En conclusión, la incorporación de la variedad brasileña de propóleo rojo en películas a base de colágeno fue capaz de mejorar la cicatrización de la herida, probablemente por la modulación de la dinámica de la evolución inflamatoria y del proceso de depósito de colágeno.

Efeito do extrato aquoso da hyptis pectinata sobre a proliferação de hepatócitos após hepatectomia parcial / Effect of the aqueous extract of hyptis pectinata on hepatocyte proliferation after partial hepatectomy

Objetivo: O uso de plantas medicinais tem aumentado mundialmente. Então, é necessário saber seus possíveis efeitos a fim de estabelecer seu uso correto em seres humanos. Dessa forma, neste trabalho se propôs a estudar os efeitos do extrato aquoso das folhas da Hyptis pectinata, popularmente conhecida como "sambacaitá" ou "canudinho", sobre a regeneração hepática após hepatectomia parcial em ratos. Métodos: Dez ratos foram divididos em 2 grupos: grupos HP, que foi submetido à hepatectomia de 67 por cento após 4 dias de administração de água destilada; e o grupo HP100, que foi submetido à hepatectomia parcial e administração oral de 100 mg/kg do extrato aquoso da Hyptis pectinata pelo mesmo período de tempo. Todos os animais foram sacrificados 24 horas após o procedimento cirúrgico. A regeneração foi analisada através do método de imuno-histoquímica PCNA, usando o anticorpo monoclonal PC-10. Resultados: O índice de regeneração hepática estava significativamente elevado no grupo HP100 (p<0,05). Conclusões: O presente estudo mostra que o extrato aquoso das folhas da Hyptis pectinata pode estimular a regeneração de 100mg/kg.